Arlene Ackerman, 66, dies of cancer
by thenotebook
Former Philadelphia schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, who led the District from 2008 to 2011, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer. She was 66.
Ackerman had been living in Albuquerque, N.M. since she accepted a controversial buyout of her contract after leaving the District in August 2011. Before coming to Philadelphia, she had served as a superintendent in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.
Raised in St. Louis where she attended a racially segregated elementary school, she was a lifelong educator who began her career as a teacher in 1968.
School District Superintendent William Hite issued the following statement Saturday:
On behalf of The School District of Philadelphia, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Arlene Ackerman and all who loved her. Dr. Ackerman devoted her life to children and public education, and in doing so, encouraged countless other individuals to commit their lives to teaching, learning and leading. For that, we are grateful. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues.
